40 Under Forty – Class of 2014

Kenya Jenkins-Wright

Kenya Jenkins-Wright is highly respected by her peers not only for sharp legal skills, but also for her selfless dedication to personally make an impact on those in need.

Jenkins-Wright is a senior associate at Greene and Letts where she focuses her practice on tort defense, commercial litigation and employment law.

Ngozi C. Okorafor, with the Illinois Department of Central Management Services, said Jenkins-Wright has distinguished herself as a tenacious, but respectful, litigator.

“Whether she is counseling and defending clients through litigation, drafting substantive motions or briefs, arguing motions or depositions, or simply appearing before judges or tribunals, Kenya is always the consummate professional, well-prepared, and a zealous advocate for her clients,” Okorafor said.

Jenkins-Wright has served as an adjunct professor with Rockford Business College and has participated in a number of litigation and diversity related seminars. Prior to working at Greene and Letts, Jenkins-Wright was an associate at Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP’s Rockford office, where she primarily focused on medical malpractice.

“As a senior associate for a reputable minority-owned law firm, Kenya embraces the notion of diversity in all aspects of the law,” Okorafor said. “Whether it be ensuring that diverse attorneys work upon client maters or that diversity persons are represented in the judiciary, Kenya has worked tirelessly toward achieving diversity in the legal profession.”

Jenkins-Wright is also well liked among judges. An associate judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County formerly worked for Greene and Letts, and worked with Jenkins-Wright for several years stated:

“Ms. Wright is a unique and exceptional litigator. She has handled litigation matters that range from medical malpractice to police misconduct,” the judge said. “She has a keen ability to digest complicated facts, extract critical ones and quickly evaluate their impact on a case. This skill has allowed her to resolve complicated matters by settlement or getting a favorable result at trial.”

Conrad Nowak, of Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, met Jenkins-Wright through various bar associations, commended her work in the community.

Jenkins-Wright is a member of the First United Methodist Church Chicago Temple’s Homeless Ministry. For the past five years, she has volunteered on weekends at the breakfast ministry giving clothing to the homeless.

“It is one thing to merely participate in the good work of organizations through financial contributions; it is quite yet another to give one’s own time and touch the lives of people directly,” Nowak said. “Kenya does this with a passionate dedication and I believe it makes her not only a better lawyer, but a more valued member of the community and the bar in general.”

Jenkins-Wright served as Alumni Council President at Northern Illinois University College of Law.

Jenkins-Wright is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, where she currently serves on the Board of Governors. She is also a member of the American Bar Association, the Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago, Inc. and the Cook County Bar Association (CCBA) – the oldest African American bar association in the United States.

Jenkins-Wright is a member of the Chicago Bar Foundation’s Young Professionals Board, where she is a life fellows member and President-Elect. She will assume the presidency of the Young Professionals Board in the approaching year. She also has been active as the Chicago Bar Association Young Lawyers Section, where she served as a Diversity Director. Jenkins-Wright has received numerous awards and accolades for her work in bar associations including: a 2014 American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Star of the Year; a number of Cook County Bar Association President’s Awards; and a Cook County Bar Association Junior Counselor Award.

Jenkins-Wright has also been involved with Chicago Youth Centers, where she served as a mentor to a high school student and worked with the centers to participate in the CCBALaw Day program.

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